[News] Upd: Drouin decides to sit out until trade is completed. Lightning suspend him.

[squiggs96]

Originally Posted by Monahan For Mayor

No way do I include a first in any offer.

It's the 32nd overall pick. It's not a big loss for a guy that was the #3 overall pick a couple of years ago.

[Vinny01]

Originally Posted by Fire

Exactly, Drouin is trending to bust territory. I wouldn't trade any first rounders for him.

Bust? Ridiculous comment. He has 40pts in 90 games. At the same age Johnny was not even in the league

[GranteedEV]

Drouin is trending toward Jordan Eberle whereas Tampa is trying to develop him into Datsyuk/St.Louis/Kane/Gaudreau/Giroux.

[Poe969]

I wouldn't say Drouin is a bust but I wouldn't give up a lot to get him. A guy like Backlund and a prospect is about all I'd give unless it was a bigger deal involving something else.

[Fighting Banana Slug]

No way he is a bust yet, but I would not trade a first rounder if I were the Flames. Feels like it would likely be a deadline or draft deal, with a team in a more secure spot giving up a first plus a prospect. Seems to me the Lightning will let him stew in the AHL, where hopefully he will find his game.

[CliffFletcher]

Originally Posted by sun

1st overall superstar face-of-the-franchise wants out (allegedly?), 3rd overall promising prospect wants out. Where do you draw the line? 2nd overall stud dman wants out? Bishop? Free agents? Coach has gotta be more replaceable than the players at some point. They endured some pretty #### seasons for these guys.

I'm just pointing out that Yzerman is managing Tampa based on his own experience in Detroit - a franchise that has had tremendous success taking a team-first, do-what-the-coach-tells-you approach.

[codynw]

Originally Posted by PeteMoss

FWIW - Drouin is one of Tampa's best in points/60 minutes.

http://www.behindthenet.ca/nhl_stati...+8+17+18+19+20

I think points per 60 is a really stupid stat without context. I think it's pretty safe to bet that Drouin is sheltered and spends a lot of his time out against bottom pairing defencemen. You shouldn't assume that his pace would stay that high if he stopped getting sheltered minutes.

[Street Pharmacist]

Originally Posted by codynw

I think points per 60 is a really stupid stat without context. I think it's pretty safe to bet that Drouin is sheltered and spends a lot of his time out against bottom pairing defencemen. You shouldn't assume that his pace would stay that high if he stopped getting sheltered minutes.

That's not the point either. The point is he's been very effective in the minutes he's got and is clearly ready for more

[Resolute 14]

Originally Posted by Vinny01

Bust? Ridiculous comment. He has 40pts in 90 games. At the same age Johnny was not even in the league

That is a disingenuous comparison. Gaudreau was not in the league because he chose to go to university, not because he couldn't play.

[Resolute 14]

Originally Posted by Street Pharmacist

That's not the point either. The point is he's been very effective in the minutes he's got and is clearly ready for more

He has been very effective in one half of the game, yes. The problem, apparently, is the other half.

[Vinny01]

Originally Posted by Resolute 14

That is a disingenuous comparison. Gaudreau was not in the league because he chose to go to university, not because he couldn't play.

Fair enough. My point was moreso that calling him a near bust because he is not a star player before he is 21 is pretty ridiculous considering a lot of good prospects that become star players have not even broken into the league before they were 20/21

[Flames4LifeFLA]

I cover the Lightning on a very regular basis and have seen Drouin's entire career thus far with the hockey club. There is no denying that he has some serious, legitimate high-end skill that can hang and produce at the NHL level. Unfortunately for him, he has had difficulty staying healthy and a tough times drawing into the lineup. I do think you have to remember how young he is and how it is very rare to step into the best professional league in the world and produce nightly.

Personally, I am not a huge supporter of his agent handling this the way he has, but I understand he is working in the best interest of his client if he thinks it will result in a better opportunity for JD.

I do subscribe to Yzerman's thought process that Drouin's main focus needs to be getting into the lineup on a regular basis and showing what he can do. Staying healthy and playing and developing, wherever he is assigned in the organization. Not having his representation angling for a trade when he is 20.

[Resolute 14]

Originally Posted by Vinny01

Fair enough. My point was moreso that calling him a near bust because he is not a star player before he is 21 is pretty ridiculous considering a lot of good prospects that become star players have not even broken into the league before they were 20/21

That I agree with. Drouin still has a lot of time to prove himself, even if he failed to do so with Cooper.

[dino7c]

Guy is too good to be in the AHL, I would want out too

[Huntingwhale]

I wish the Lightning the absolute worst in this entire scenario and I hope everything blows up in their face. I also hope Hedman demands a trade next.

[flamesfan55]

Why do the Lighting have such a tough time keeping player. Stamkos may leave, St Louis asked for a trade, now Drouin?? Whats gives.

[CorsiHockeyLeague]

Based on what we know about the St. Louis situation I'm pretty comfortable putting that one on him, not Yzerman and co.

As for Stammer, it's basically all just rumours at this point. If he does leave, it isn't necessarily because he doesn't like TBL; he just has an opportunity to play wherever he wants for basically the same amount of money he'd make if he stayed.

[ScorchyScorch]

With Tampa in town, hopefully discussions are being had.

Maybe something Hudler related happening, given the secrecy around his "condition".

[sureLoss]

Originally Posted by ScorchyScorch

With Tampa in town, hopefully discussions are being had.

Treliving is in Finland watching the world juniors

[Poe969]

Isn't BT in Finland at the WJC? Drouin would be a great pickup but I'm willing to bet that some team would over pay to get him and instead of using assets to get another small skilled winger, the team should look at other more glaring needs. That being said, if a deal can be worked out that doesn't set the Flames back that much, it'd be great to have him.